Skip to Content

Pikes Peak Humane Society caring for 20 dogs left homeless in Louisiana by Hurricane Ida

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- It wasn't just people left homeless last week after Hurricane Ida moved through Louisiana; the storm also damaged or destroyed many animal shelters.

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is among various animal advocacy organizations that responded to Tennessee, a state designated as a transfer point for displaced pets.

KRDO

A five-member team consisting of four volunteers and a HSPPR staffer deployed to Oak Ridge, just west of Knoxville, last week.

HSPPR

The responders are part of the HSPPR's Community Animal Response Team and are in Tennessee with other organizations at the request of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

ASPCA

Responders are setting up emergency shelters to care for homeless dogs and cats from Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, until they can be distributed to other shelters in or near Tennessee.

HSPPR

"They won't be going back to Louisiana," said Samantha Kirby, manager of the response team. "One of the goals was to alleviate (Louisiana) of some of their (shelter) population, so that they could have the room and space to take in animals that needed help more immediately."

KRDO

The CART team has 20 dogs in its shelter -- mostly younger dogs and pit bulls.

"We were really, really lucky to have access to a facility that was already being used for animal care," Kirby said. "So everything was in great condition. All we had to do was come in, do a really nice deep clean, disinfect all the surfaces, and then set up and get ready for our load of animals."

KRDO

She said that the dogs are doing well and show no signs of stress.

"We've been walking them three times a day since then, cleaning their kennels four times a day, giving them lots of treats and enrichment and love," Kirby said. "So a really great group of dogs."

ASPCA

The team left Colorado Springs last Wednesday and is expected to return Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

A HSPPR spokesperson said that the team has deployed to local disasters such as wildfires before, but the 1,300-mile deployment to Tennessee is one of the team's first out-of-state assignments.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Scott Harrison

Scott is a reporter for KRDO. Learn more about Scott here.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content